Comus First Utterance Very Rare Orig Uk 1971 Ex Dawn Lp, Rarely Seen Folk prog.

ONEADAYRECORDS Serving-up a Christmas New Year Feast of Entertainment I would like to wish all my customers, regulars and newcomers, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR Over the Holiday Period, I am offering some interesting Christmas Crackers lovely albums some rare ENJOY Postage: UK 4.75 1 per extra record .
Europe including Russia 12.50 2 per extra record .
Rest of World including ALL parts of the USA 16.50 2 per extra record .
All boxes sent FIRST-CLASS TRACKED in quality, safe packaging I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection.
Here, you get what you pay for SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS with extra 7mm side protection and bubblewrap.
Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia.
But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK.
So please be patient.
I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.
ALSO: I now apply the Ebay 2-day rule for non-payment to keep things moving cash-flow is important for any small business.
I will always keep my P P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get.
My P P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over 100 at NO extra cost that is UK and abroad.
Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received.
You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.
FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and 0 bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion.
As will any bidder who cancels a bid.
I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat.
Ebay does not approve and neither do I so only bid on my items if you want them.
Artist or Band: COMUS Album Title: First Utterance Producer s : Barry Murray TRACK LIST: Side 1: Diana The Herald Drip Drip.
Side 2: Song to Comus The Bite Bitten The Prisoner.
Label/Format: Dawn original orange format with matt, smooth surfaces.
A Pye subsidiary label for the more progressive new acts of the era.
Label Conditions: Both very clean, still fresh and attractive with moderate spindle marks.
But these have scant reflection on the sound quality of this legendary record.
Apart from a couple of tiny marks with a couple or three gentle clicks each, this record plays beautifully.
It is very well pressed that a massive plus for a label known to have very variable pressing quality which will be known to many collectors.
This is a First Utterance that was a delight to play-grade with little unwanted and unless perfection is mandatory, it will be one to thrill many collectors.
Being honest, will a true silent copy this still exist? Catalogue Number: DNLS 3019 Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.
Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even budget decks.
Weight of this Record: 140 grams.
A heavy orange label Dawn pressing, and pressed on purer vinyl than most I have seen that is the label, not the actual album, not seen many of these ever .
Country of Manufacture: England Rarity Overview: Very Rare, and selling in only tiny numbers, and for a long time actually unavailable, out-of-print.
This usually blamed on indifferent reviews at the time and probably scant promotion.
Often such reviews written by people who could never hope to understand or appreciated such a groundbreaking album.
Way ahead of it s time in terms of subject matter and intensity.
Over time this somewhat controversial record has gained monumental status in the folk-rock genre, and is now classified by some as progressive folk .
Over time, it has gained Comus cult status for just this one album alone.
Little had ever been heard like this before with songs so dark and disturbing, few reviewers would have given this a second listen.
And this is an album that demands to be heard several times before its dark beauty can ever be fully appreciated.
First Utterance has now hit legendary status and is one of the most sort-after albums in rock music, not just for folk fans.
With it s famously gruesome pen drawn artwork by Roger Wootton, the lead singer and songwriter, it would have attracted a few curious record buyers of the time, but largely it went unnoticed and ignored, it pretty much sunk without trace.
Hence very hard to find at all in any condition.
This is a very fine example, and as stated above, very well pressed on a known variable label.
A tiny few gentle ticks on side one, and just one noted on side two from a tiny pressing bump, that the only minuscule pressing blemish.
There are no other pressing noises or any distortion at all, the sound clear and focused, it was a delight to play.
The cover is very prone to wear and few escape it.
The only wear of note is patchy rubbing on the lower spine fold and a small tone spot on the back near the top.
I often wonder if the creature artwork is based on the Germanic creature The Krampus the horrific Christmas devil of European folklore.
This copy includes the elusive lyric insert as well, this guaranteed original.
For collectors seeking this groundbreaking legendary album as a UK original, this will please many.
Not quite for the purist or perfectionists who only want pristine at any cost, but finding such an available copy will rarely, if ever surface.
In the meantime, hopefully this impressive copy, that only gives gentle clues to age, will do just nicely.
Original Year of Release: 1971 Matrix Nos: DNLS 3019 A-3 T / DNLS 3019 B-3 T Mothers / Stampers: I 1 / D 1 Musicians: Roger Wootton acoustic guitar, lead vocals Glenn Goring 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, slide, hand drums, backing vocals Andy Hellaby fender bass, slide bass, backing vocals Colin Pearson violin, viola Rob Young flute, oboe, hand drums Bobbie Watson lead and backing vocals, percussion.
Brief Info: One of the darkest and macabre albums ever made, the songs have nightmarish subject matter that include murder, rape, executions, necrophilia, mental illness and a bizarre folklore creature all played with a backdrop of eerie and intense music and vocals, including some spine-tingling female singing.
This is almost Hammer-Horror for music lovers and is simply brilliant.
For those few who bought it on issue, most initially must have wondered what they had let themselves in for.
But such is the legendary status of this album, there are simply not enough originals in existence to meet demand and no reissue ever hits the mark compared to owning the real thing even warts n all.
Dealer friends agree, this is near impossible to find without some pressing or sound issues Dawn records were variable sound quality often a lottery .
Well this one is very well pressed and without any major sound issues.
Side two has a tiny pressing bump that emits one click.
Side one has a couple of tiny stylus marks with just a couple of three light ticks each that apart, little else to fault on a massively challenging album in all respects.
Comus did a second album after a while, but with a different line-up and it never even came close to matching this amazingly brave and daring debut.
Since discovering this album later than I should have done, it has become a real favourite I love bands who dare to be original and different, but clearly this was never going to be commercial enough to succeed, and Comus faded in the mists of time, like so many of the rest.
Fairly recently they returned and further interest in this album was rekindled making the search of an original all the more difficult.
Well a complete and fine original is here, so a great opportunity not a pristine copy but still a very strong one that I feel most bar the absolute perfectionists will treasure.
Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT : the main surfaces better, the main wear, which is moderately light, on the top spine fold.
An unlaminated gatefold format with matt, smooth surfaces.
Printed and made in England by Garrod Lofthouse Ltd with the Patents Pending text.
The polylined inner sleeve is included as well as the elusive lyric insert sheet.
Cover Front: One of the all-time classic and famous covers but hardly noticed at the time of issue, only the larger retailers would have even stocked a copy.
The odd small rub look very hard and a little corner wear that few will avoid at best.
A gentle hint of grubbiness on the white, this being quite critical, minimal creasing and any marks small and light as viewed more critically under angled light.
No sticker issues or enhancements, this famous Comus creature graphic still looks gruesomely attractive .
Cover Back: Largely the same again with a little spine edge rubbing, this hardly encroaches into the main area.
A small tone spot near the top edge as mentioned.
The lack of ugly penetrating ring wear is a major plus.
Cover Inner Gatefold: The more colourful and peaceful inside is attractive and clean with little to fault as seen.
Top Edges: Both straight and flat with any surface rubbing patchy and largely light.
Being pale edges, any rubbing or wear has less visual impact.
Bottom Edges: Similar again, a little rubbing seen on the black ink area on the left sides.
Right Edge s , and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with little wear.
Any thickening or burring minimal and light as seen viewed end-on.
Record enters on the back edge, all are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.
Spine and Text: The spine has moderate, but patchy rubbing to the top fold.
Somewhat against the odds, the text remains mostly fully intact and present.
Still quite solid, straight with minimal compression, but some fairly gentle tilt to right from storage.
Folded square, so the edges meet up very closely together and parallel.
Although there is some wear, this has fared quite well, the rubbing less conspicuous on a black and white cover, but some rubbing nonetheless.
Corners: Corner wear or rubbing ranges from light to moderate mostly fine shape retained with no major knocks.
Cover Summary: A rare and famous cover, not for the absolute connoisseur or purist.
That said, being as elusive and few around as there are, sometimes a little give-and-take is the order-of-the-day.
With the main areas e.g.
front, back, inside and even a decent spine that retains all text, this is one that still looks very nice to hold and view.
Edge wear on such covers is less easy to avoid, and the rubbing being on white edges anyway, it shows less.
Importantly, the main Comus graphic looks impressive without any major or damaging flaw.
So many collectors will be happy.
A perfect example of this album commands massive prices these days if one can be found or even exists , and this a very solid cover to please many fans and collectors.
The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: a heavy duty polylined plain inner with two crisp undamaged window circles and clear lining.
A little aged with some darkening to the paper, this mostly near the edge seam adhesive areas as per usual.
A gentle crease to one corner, but no edge splits, tears or repairs.
The Lyric Insert: EXCELLENT: printed both sides and guaranteed original.
An integral part of the album and apparently often missing or torn.
This is clean, still quite fresh with barely any marks and any creases few and light.
All those macabre and very dark lyrics can be followed on this crucial sheet that also includes band member pictures in both photographic and drawn form.
A really lovely insert in impressive condition with no tears and crisp edges.
Album Played For Grading: Yes.
I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise.
I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.
Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading Sound: EXCELLENT : any marks are few and mainly very fine and light as seen under bright angled light.
One tiny pressing bump on side two as stated which has a one rev click.
Most blemishes are surface types that have no sound, as stated a couple of tiny marks emit a couple or three gentle ticks, but there is little else to fault as stated already.
Even though the labels have moderate spindle marks, I am still very confident this record has been played little, or modestly at most, and also with mostly due care on a quality system.
Spindle marks on labels only give a fleeting clue to number of plays, a pure fact.
Some owners used the label to guide the spindle to hole, thus some lightly played records could have several marks.
Conversely, some were ultra careful never to make the label touch the spindle, then could play a record many times and leave no mark.
Any real judgement is pure guess work, I prefer to rely on a play-grade to judge sound and a bright lamp for looks.
This is a splendid record with lovely shine and impressive looks, also very solidly pressed.
Viewed in average natural room light, this record looks fantastic with little unwanted seen.
Most experienced collectors will know Dawn records could be lottery for pressing quality I have heard some really bad ones over time this is NOT one of them.
I found this record an immensely enjoyable experience, you never quite know what to expect until you play it, no matter how clean the playing surfaces.
Offering strong, beautifully precise and focused sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear with no tracking issues Yes a couple or three brief ticks as stated from a couple of really tiny marks, hardly terrible for a record over 45-years-old.
Sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound.
The eerie stringed instruments still focused and unclipped to deliver the near ultimate spine-chilling experience.
Since discovery some time ago, it has been a long-standing favourite of mine and I would not offer any copy that did not please me.
This went beyond pleasing me, this to date, the best I have heard.
It is likely to prove very difficult to find substantially better and one to please all but the ultra discerning purist who only wants perfect at any cost.
There were so few made or sold, this cult alternative folk-rock classic a genuine rarity, using the term rare in the correct context.
Quickly deleted and unavailable for many years, this has always been a treasured and sort-after album.
This is a solid original that will please many, or even most collectors, and one I am happy to strongly recommend.
Albums hardly get darker or more chilling than First Utterance , this a rare opportunity.
As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.
Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find.
I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible.
I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade.
I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector.
You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety also on higher-end equipment not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story.
I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too.
Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it s good.
I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items.
All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programs.
Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter.
If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa.
I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you.
I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly.
Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary.
Thanks for your interest and Good luck MIKE.
Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracks at 2.2 grams .
Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects.
Speakers: B W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable .
All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.
Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.
PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.
What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets Signed-For with NO exceptions.
Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.
I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum unless on holiday .
I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail.
The record s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality.
You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that s a promise and guarantee.
All records are posted in professional boxes NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection .
The record s are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner.
The record s original inner will be included if available.
The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords.
Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible.
When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener sandwich is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further.
Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label.
Customers requests or special needs for P P will be respected if at all possible but Signed-For posting is NOT an option anymore.
I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence.
The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive.
I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends.
My loss or damage rate is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.
The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that.
It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure.
Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no professional should consider using them in my opinion.
I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight .
All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.
NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.
PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received.
I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist.
The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals.
Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.
SHIPPING COSTS CONDITIONS THESE comply with EBAY S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Posting Packing: UK CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery: 1 LP FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance Signed For 4.75 1 LP Special Delivery with Standard 500 Maximum Insurance Signed For, Next Day 7.50.
this includes insurance of 500 .
Add 1 per extra LP.
Posting Packing: EUROPE SCANDINAVIA.
Airmail Only : 1 LP Small Packet Signed For with Standard Royal Mail Insurance 50 maximum 12.50 enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra 3 .
Add 2 per extra LP.
Posting Packing: ALL OVERSEAS non-European e.g.
USA ANY PART OF South America New Zealand Australia Canada Japan and other Far East Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail : 1 LP Small Packet Signed For with Standard Royal Mail Insurance 50 maximum 16.50 17.50 for double sets .
Add 3 per extra LP.
enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra 3 Payment Conditions: I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders.
I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.
Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters.
A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up.
Fast deals get great feedback from me.
Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.
My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund.
I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully.
If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.
Thank You.
SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound.
Scratch a needle mark that goes below the record s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform.
Original a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record.
First Pressing A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record.
I do not claim to always know for sure, and that s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide.
I prefer to use terms like Early Copy rather than First Pressing if I am not totally sure.
Surface Sound Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar.
Distortion Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so.
The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality.
Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion.
Feathering Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover.
Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive.
Set Off, actually a printer s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon.
e.g.
when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area this is mostly unavoidable or course.
The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix mono mixes are rarely available on CD , high quality sound on clean copies played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system breathtaking sound , beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning the real thing .